Scytalidium thermophilum-colonized grain, corncobs and chopped wheat straw substrates for the production of Agaricus bisporus.
We examined the possibility of cultivating Agaricus bisporus (Ab) on various grains and agricultural by-products, with the objective of improving yield capacity of substrate pre-colonized by Scytalidium thermophilum (St). Radial growth rate (RGR) of St at 45 degrees C ranged from no growth on sterile wheat grain to 14.9 mm/d on whole oats. The linear extension rate (LER) of Ab, grown on St-colonized substrate (4 days at 45 degrees C), ranged from a low of 2.7 mm/d on 100% corncobs to 4.7 mm/d on a 50/50 mixture of ground corncobs/millet grain. Several other substrates containing wheat straw+ground corncobs+boiled millet and pre-colonized by St (4 days at 42+/-3 degrees C), were evaluated for production of Ab. The biological efficiency (BE) of production increased linearly with the addition of millet to the formula. However, substrates with millet levels 84% often were contaminated before mushroom harvest. Maximum BE (99%) and yield (21.6 kg/m(2)) were obtained on St-colonized wheat straw+2% hydrated lime supplemented with 9% commercial supplement added both at spawning and at casing.
Sanchez
Jose E
JE
El Colegio de la Frontera Sur. Apdo. Postal 36, Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico 30700, Mexico. esanchez@ecosur.mx
Royse
Daniel J
DJ
D000364:Agaricus / Q000254:growth & development*; D001203:Ascomycota / Q000378:metabolism*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D002523:Edible Grain / Q000382:microbiology*; D008897:Panicum; D013696:Temperature; D014908:Triticum / Q000382:microbiology*; D003313:Zea mays / Q000382:microbiology*